"In this passing over,if it is to be perfect,all
intellectual activities must be left behindand the height of
our affectionmust be totally transferred and transformed
into God.This, however, is mystical and most secret,which
no one knowsexcept him who receives it,no one
receivesexcept him who desires it,and no one desires
except himwho is inflamed in his very marrow by the fire of the
Holy Spiritwhom Christ sent into the world. And therefore
the Apostle says thatthis mystical wisdom is revealedby
the Holy Spirit."

St. BonaventureApoc. 2:17Cf. Luke 12:49Cf, 1Cor.
2:10ff.

ORIGINS OF THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER

Some 800 hundred years ago, an amazing movement of the Holy Spirit
swept through the Catholic Church. Just as after the days of Pentecost in the early
Church, wonderful manifestations of the Holy Spirit were clearly
seen among the people of God, and the Church was powerfully renewed.

This historic renewal from God was largely accomplished through
the simple faith and Love response of on “Francis of Assisi” His example called all
men and women, married or single, to respond to the movement of
the Holy Spirit. Francis called people to turn to a renewed life
of faith and love in the simplicity of the Gospel. In this simple
faith, and love of Jesus, men and women came together in lay communities
to support one another in their relationship with Jesus, and to
be a witness to all the Church and the world.

These laypeople came together, not to separate from the Church,
but to support the Church in humble service befitting their state
of life. Relationships with God were nurtured, communities of men
and women were founded, and the Lord’s command to Francis to “…rebuild
my Church!” began to be fulfilled as the Catholic Church was beautifully
renewed in the simple love of Jesus through this movement of the
Holy Spirit.

SECULAR FRANCISCANS TODAY

Secular Franciscans are part of a large Franciscan family raised
up by the Holy Spirit in the Church and called to follow Christ
in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi. Their Rule or way of
life is this: “to observe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by
following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ
the inspiration and center of his life with God and people.” They
are found on every continent of the world and number almost a million
men and women. While spiritual assistance is offered to the Secular
Franciscan Order from numerous families of the First, Second, and
Third Order Regular, the Secular Franciscans from one international
Order.

From Our Rule

Article 14

Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are
called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the
Kingdom of God might be brought about more effectively.

What is Expected of Secular Franciscans?

Secular Franciscans are to seek to encounter the living and active
person of Jesus Christ in their brothers and sisters, in Sacred
Scriptures, in the Church and in the liturgical prayer of the Church.
The local fraternity is above all the privileged place for encountering
Christ, for developing a sense of Church and the Franciscan Vocation
and for enlivening the apostolic life of its members. The vocation
hangs on the personal fidelity to the local fraternity, which is
a visible sign of the Church, the community of love.

Secular Franciscans, like all Christians, are
called individually
and communally to ministry and evangelization. They engage in many
different ministries both within the Church and society. For example,
working in soup kitchens, collecting items for the poor, serving
as lectors, catechists, and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist.
Above all, the fidelity to the Franciscan charism wherever and whenever
they are found, is the basic ministry. The Rule encourages them
to build a more fraternal and evangelical world by promoting peace
and justice; to esteem work both as a gift and as a sharing in creation,
redemption and service of the human community; to promote the grace
of matrimony; and to strive to kinship with all of creation. Secular
Franciscans also express an ardent love for Mary by imitating her
complete self-giving and by praying earnestly and confidently.

…Rebuild my Church

Lord Jesus, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is discord, harmony.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is error, truth.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive;

it is in forgetting self that we find ourselves;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

From Our Rule

Article 4

The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this

To observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the
example of Saint Francis

Of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and center of his
life with God and people.

Christ, the gift of the Father’s love, is the way to him, the
Truth into which the Holy Spirit

Leads us, and the life which he has come to give abundantly.

Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful
reading of the gospel,